S9 Ep14 BAG CRAP: Amanda Marcuson, the founder of BAG CRAP, a vintage bag charm brand - on upcycling trinkets and vintage toys into one-of-a-kind handbag charms.

S9 Ep14 BAG CRAP: Amanda Marcuson, the founder of BAG CRAP, a vintage bag charm brand - on upcycling trinkets and vintage toys into one-of-a-kind handbag charms.

Author: Emily Stochl April 28, 2025 Duration: 53:43

On today's show, we're chatting with Amanda Marcuson, the founder of BAG CRAP. Bag Crap is a vintage bag charm brand built on nostalgi and individuality

Amanda is a longtime vintage collector, with a love of treasure hunting that grew over the years as she spent countless weekends at estate sales, thrift stores, and flea markets searching for quirky items.  She became a luxury handbag resale expert turned designer and charm curator. She uses vintage keychains and repurposed toys to transform nostalgic items into playful one-of-a-kind bag charms that celebrate sustainability. 

Her business experienced the bag charm boom – she's been featured in several issues of VOGUE, GQ, and Nylon, and worn by style icons like Tracee Ellis Ross and Gabriella Karefa-Johnson.

But Amanda feels in her heart that her one-of-a-kind bag charms, made from trinkets found all over the world, are more than just a trend item – we get into it all! It's a fun one, and I think you're really gonna love it –  so let's dive right in! 

DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:

  • [5:43] How Amanda's obsession with vintage handbags really began.
  • [9:21] Was Beanie Baby the first resale trend craze?
  • [13:04] While at FIT and in her fashion internships, Amanda was always crafting and upcycling. 
  • [17:33] She learned about authentication and running a small business while working in the luxury handbag resale industry, including at The RealReal and Heritage Auctions. 
  • [24:24] When the bag charm started to take off. 
  • [31:51] We're hungry for the little things that make us happy, even just a charm on your bag that communicates your individuality!

EPISODE MENTIONS: 

LET'S CONNECT: 

SPECIAL THANKS: 

A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible!

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Every week, Emily Stochl invites you into a conversation that goes far beyond the clothing rack. Pre-Loved Podcast with Emily Stochl is built on the idea that every second-hand garment has a past, and that exploring those histories makes our present style more meaningful. Rather than just offering shopping tips, each episode feels like sitting down with a fascinating friend who shares your passion for vintage, digging into the many layers of what it means to wear pre-owned fashion. You’ll hear from a diverse range of guests-from collectors and stylists to entrepreneurs and historians-as they explore not only personal style but also the practicalities of running a resale business, the complexities of the global second-hand market, and the environmental ethos behind choosing used over new. The heart of this podcast lives in those incredible stories: the serendipitous flea market find, the garment that carries a decade of memories, or the simple, powerful act of giving a piece a new life. Emily guides these discussions with genuine curiosity, making each topic accessible whether you're a seasoned thrifter or just curious about sustainable fashion. It’s a thoughtful, engaging look at how what we wear connects to culture, art, beauty, and the kind of mindful consumption that can reshape an industry. Tune in for a fresh perspective that celebrates the character, sustainability, and deep personal connection found in pre-loved fashion.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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